The Last Great Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb, born on November 3, 1618, in Dahod, Gujarat, was the sixth son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. He was a highly intelligent and religious prince. Educated in Islamic studies, Persian, and military training, he quickly proved his administrative skills.
After Shah Jahan's illness in 1657, a war of succession broke out between his sons. Aurangzeb defeated his brothers, including Dara Shikoh, and imprisoned his father. He ascended the throne in 1658 and declared himself "Alamgir" (Conqueror of the World).
Aurangzeb ruled for nearly 50 years (1658-1707), the longest of any Mughal emperor. He was a strict follower of Islam and imposed Sharia law across the empire. He banned music at court, reintroduced the jizya tax, and enforced Islamic practices, which drew both admiration and criticism.
Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent, stretching from Kashmir in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south. His Deccan campaigns were intense but costly. He spent the last 25 years of his life fighting in the south against the Marathas and Deccan sultanates.
Aurangzeb died on March 3, 1707, in Ahmednagar. He was buried in a simple grave at Khuldabad, Maharashtra, as per his wishes. Though a powerful and devout ruler, his reign marked the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire due to continuous warfare and internal unrest.
"I came alone and I go as a stranger. I do not know who I am, nor what I have been doing." Aurangzeb (from his last letter)